Disc golf on its way to Belding

BELDING — Members of the Belding City Council approved a motion allowing the establishment of a new disc golf course at Lightning Bend Park at Tuesday's meeting.

Keven Krieger, a member of the disc golf group called "SMASH Park," said he and other members have a desire to build a disc golf course in Belding at Lightning Bend Park, as it is the best location and has a large area needed for the game. The park is being built in honor of a friend of Krieger and the group who passed away some time ago.

If approved by the Belding City Council, SMASH Park would build a 9-hold disc golf course, which would be for public use. The group is also asking for brush and small trees to be removed in order to create a fairway, and for signage to be installed for hole locations, safety, park identification and commemoration.

Already, the group's volunteers have raised about $4,100 for the project, which has surpassed their original goal. Building the course would take place in the early spring season with completion by early summer, Krieger added.

Council members said they liked the idea of the course and called it a good use of the property.

The council approved the motion with none opposed and council member Mike Scheid absent.

In more news, Belding Police Chief Dale Nelson said autumn leaf pick-ups soon will be underway, and asks residents to place leaves at the edge of the curb instead of the roadway near the curb to prevent leaves from going into storm drains.

Belding Fire Chief Greg Moore said he is happy to report many of the residents who received warnings for blight have complied with the ordinance and are in the process of clearing the problem.